Police seek clues in hit and run

Steamboat Springs police are searching for the driver of a Porsche convertible who struck a Hayden man at the intersection of Seventh and Lincoln, sped away from the scene and then abandoned the vehicle.

Forty-four-year-old Jerry Bryant suffered several broken bones and a fractured skull when he was hit around 1 a.m. Sunday, police said. Bryant apparently was thrown onto the sports car's hood and hit the windshield, shattering it, before landing on the street where he lay until help arrived.

Bryant was crossing Lincoln and the Porsche was traveling west, police said. Traffic lights at the intersection were flashing red at the time.

The Porsche drove another block before turning onto Eighth Street. Police said an officer arrived within minutes of the incident and found the Porsche parked in front of Antares restaurant at 57 1/2 Eighth St. The driver was nowhere to be found.

The 1983 Porsche 911 is maroon with a black convertible top. Police said the vehicle is registered in Routt County and has the license plate number 074-ETD.

Neither police nor county vehicle registration officials would identify the Porsche's owner, whom police have been unable to locate so far. Specific vehicle registration information is not public record.

The Porsche has not been reported stolen. Police do not know if the owner was driving when the incident occurred.

Bryant spent Monday undergoing the first of what may be several surgeries, police said.

Reached Monday evening at Yampa Valley Medical Center, Bryant declined comment, referring all questions to his attorney, Gerald W. Young. Young could not be reached for comment.

"The accident was not fatal, but he has head injuries, fractured bones in his face and hands, torn ligaments and severe road rash," said Detective Dave Kleiber, also working the case. "I visited with him (Sunday), but he was on so much morphine that he wasn't really able to talk."

Under Colorado law, motorists are obligated to remain at the scene of an accident and render assistance as necessary, Steamboat Detective Ross Kelly said.

Kelly said the driver could face a charge of hit and run involving injury.

Police have yet to find any witnesses who can describe the driver.

"It was a fairly quiet night," said Kelly. "Most of the businesses were closed and initially we have not found many witnesses."

Police said they do not know what role, if any, alcohol played in the incident.

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call Routt County Crime Stoppers at 870-6226 or the Steamboat Springs Police Department at 879-1144.

Callers to Crime Stoppers do not have to reveal their names and may be eligible for a cash reward if their information helps police solve the case.